If you’re like me and can’t resist the combination of peanut butter and jelly, then you’re going to love these Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies! Think of them as the grown-up, dessert version of your favorite childhood sandwich—soft, chewy, and packed with the nostalgic flavors we all know and love. These blondies are super easy to make and come together in no time. They’re the perfect treat to have on hand for a quick snack, a lunchbox addition, or even a sweet surprise to serve at your next get-together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies have everything you love about a classic PB&J, but in the form of a soft, chewy, and slightly gooey bar. The peanut butter adds richness and a creamy texture, while the jelly gives it just the right amount of sweetness and tartness. Plus, they’re easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, and they’re a fun twist on a regular blondie recipe. The best part? They taste even better the next day after the flavors have had time to meld together. You’ll be reaching for seconds (and thirds!) before you know it.
Ingredients
Here’s a sneak peek of the ingredients you’ll need to make these mouthwatering Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies. For the full list and measurements, scroll down!
- Peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- Butter
- Brown sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Your favorite jam or jelly (strawberry, grape, or raspberry work well)
For the complete ingredient list and measurements, you’ll find everything below!
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave some overhang so you can easily lift the blondies out later. Grease the parchment paper lightly with cooking spray to ensure the blondies don’t stick.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. You can use a hand mixer or just do it by hand with a whisk or spatula. Once it’s all mixed, add in the eggs and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined and smooth.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix—blondies are meant to be soft, and you don’t want them to turn out tough!
Step 4: Assemble the Blondies
Pour the batter into your prepared baking pan and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Now comes the fun part—scoop spoonfuls of your favorite jam or jelly and drop it randomly over the top of the batter. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the jelly into the batter, creating beautiful marbled swirls of peanut butter and jelly goodness.
Step 5: Bake
Bake the blondies in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The edges will start to turn golden brown, and the top will look slightly puffed. Keep an eye on them to make sure they don’t overbake, as you want them to remain soft and chewy.
Step 6: Cool and Slice
Allow the blondies to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Once they’ve cooled enough to handle, slice them into squares or rectangles. These blondies are delicious while they’re still a little warm, but they’re just as tasty once they’ve fully cooled!
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Don’t overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter can lead to dense blondies. Stir just until the ingredients are combined for that perfect chewy texture.
- Use good quality jam: Since the jelly is a key flavor in this recipe, use a high-quality fruit jam or jelly. Raspberry, strawberry, and grape all work wonderfully here!
- Peanut butter options: You can use creamy or chunky peanut butter depending on your preference. If you prefer a smoother texture, creamy peanut butter is your best bet.
- Add a pinch of sea salt: If you like that sweet-salty contrast, try sprinkling a small pinch of sea salt on top of the blondies just before baking.
Recipe Variations and Possible Substitutions
- Nut butter swap: If you’re allergic to peanuts or just prefer a different nut flavor, try using almond butter or cashew butter in place of peanut butter.
- Add-ins: You can mix in chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or even marshmallows for a little extra texture and flavor.
- Sugar alternatives: If you’re looking for a healthier version, you can try substituting some of the brown sugar with coconut sugar or honey, but be aware that this might affect the texture and flavor slightly.
Serving and Pairing Suggestions
These Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies are delicious on their own, but here are a few ideas to make them even more special:
- Serve with a glass of milk: You can’t go wrong with a classic pairing of milk and blondies. The milk will complement the rich, peanut-buttery goodness of the bars.
- Top with whipped cream: For an indulgent dessert, serve these blondies with a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Pair with a hot cup of coffee: The richness of the peanut butter and jelly contrasts beautifully with a cup of hot coffee or even a frothy latte.
Storage and Reheating Tips
- Room temperature: Store your blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. They stay soft and chewy and make for a great grab-and-go snack!
- Freezing: If you want to make them ahead of time or save leftovers, these blondies freeze well! Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature for a few hours when you’re ready to enjoy them again.
4 FAQs
- Can I make these without eggs? Yes! You can substitute the eggs with flaxseed eggs or an egg replacer. Just mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons of water for each egg.
- What kind of jam is best for these blondies? Any jam or jelly you love will work! Traditional peanut butter and jelly combinations like strawberry or grape are perfect, but raspberry or even mixed berry jam would be delicious too.
- Can I use crunchy peanut butter? Absolutely! If you love a little crunch in your treats, feel free to swap out creamy peanut butter for crunchy peanut butter. It adds texture and a bit of extra peanut flavor.
- Are these blondies gluten-free? These blondies are not naturally gluten-free, but you can make them gluten-free by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend in place of regular flour. Be sure to check the ingredients of your peanut butter and jelly to ensure they’re also gluten-free.
Conclusion
Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies are the perfect treat for when you want something sweet, nostalgic, and easy to whip up. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion, a snack, or just to satisfy that PB&J craving, these blondies are sure to become a new favorite. Soft, chewy, and full of flavor, they bring together two classic ingredients in a fun and delicious way. So grab a few simple ingredients, and let’s get baking!
Print
Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies: A Fun Twist on a Classic Treat
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Peanut Butter and Jelly Blondies combine the nostalgic flavors of peanut butter and jelly into a soft, chewy, and slightly gooey bar. They are the perfect treat for a quick snack, a lunchbox addition, or as a sweet surprise at your next gathering. Easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, they are a fun twist on the classic PB&J!
Ingredients
- 1 cup Peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- 1/2 cup Butter, softened
- 1 cup Brown sugar
- 2 Eggs
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups All-purpose flour
- 1 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Jam or jelly (strawberry, grape, raspberry, or your preferred flavor)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, lightly greased with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together peanut butter, butter, and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract to the mixture and mix until smooth and well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and spread evenly.
- Drop spoonfuls of jam or jelly randomly over the batter and swirl them in with a knife or skewer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the blondies to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Slice into squares or rectangles.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to avoid dense blondies.
- Use good-quality jam or jelly for the best flavor.
- Feel free to add a pinch of sea salt on top before baking for a sweet-salty contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Blondie
- Calories: 270
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 1350mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 30mg